Tire rim



nanny a. cortar AND aonnn'r n. rHoMPsoN, or DaY'roN, omo; SAID Conny Assmann To sam THOMPSON,

Tm RIM.

Applcatin led August 16, 1920. Serial No. 403,941.

17 Y0 (all 'it may cofncem:

Be it known that we, HENRY J. Cenar and ROBERT'H. Trioiirsoiv, both citizens of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Tire Rims, of which the O fol owing is a specification.

This invention relates to demountable rims for vehicle wheels, and more particularly to a rim which will facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the tire therewith.

Demountable rims for vehicle wheels, particularly for pneumatic tires yfor automobiles, have been in c ommon use, but more or less difficulty is encountered in applying and removing the pneumatic casing to and from such rim, although the rims are easily applicable to the wheel structure. The present invention is designed to enable unskilled persons to easily and quickly apply and'ie move the tire casing from the rim.

The object of the invention is to simplify the 4structure as well as the means and inode of operation of such devices, whereby they will lnot only be cheapened in construction, but will be more efficient in use, easily and quickly applied, secure in their engagement and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of separable tire channel, having ample clearance to enable its easy adjustment. but irmly engaging one party with the other in the final relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved locking means for securing the separable sections of the 1tire rim one to the'other, both before application to the wheel and while in use, f y.

A further object of the invention is to provide im roved means for interconnecting the rim Wit the wheel felloe to maintain it in fixed concentric relation with the wheel structure and to further prevent rotary or creep movement therewith.

With the above primary and other incidental ob; pear in tie specification the invention consists of the 'features of construction the parts and combinations thereof and the mode of ects in view as will more fully ap operation ortheir equivalents as hereinafter Atire easing.

Fig. l is a sectional perspective View of la portion of a separable tire rim forming the subject matter hereof. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional vieu' on line 2 2 of F ig. 1,-showing the rim applied to the wheel felloe. Fig. Sis a circumferential sectional' view of the rim, showing the relation of the locking means. Fig. l is a detail view of one of the rim clamp plates viewed from the inner face thereof. Fig. 5 is a detail View of a modification of the tire rim, showing in connection therewith the same interlocking means as employed with the rim -illust-rated in the preceding view. Fig, G is a transverse sec tional view, showing the relation of the parts at the point of engagement with the valve stem of the tire. Fig. 7 shows the separate sections positioned for engagement. Fig. 8 is a detail plan View, showing the rim severed transversely.

Like parts are indicated by similar char` acters ot reference throughout the several views.

The demountable tire rims most coinmoniy in use comprise an annular channel split transversely, the adjacent ends of which are drawn into overlapping relation to enable the insertion and removal of the Another type of demountable rim embodies a removable ring which forms onel liunge ol' the channel which is locked in position by a second ring engaged 'with the main portion of the channel structure. In the first type of device mentioned, great ditiiculty is experienced in drawing the ends of the channel into sufficiently overlapping relation to enable the easy removal or insertion of the tire, while in the second type of device, great eort is required to force the second bead flange of the tire casing on to the channel base a suiiicieut distance to enable the insertion of the retaining and locking ring. The present construction' is designed to enable the insertion and removal of the tire with minimum effort by dividing the'channel circumferentially into two separable sections. each provided with a marginal iange and with overlapping base por; tioiis, so shaped. asto easily enteronevfwithin thsother, with the -tire casing engaged in distend'ed form between the marginal ianges of the respective members. These members are then drawn together uniformly clamping the base or bead flanges ofthe tire c as v ing, between the marginal anges of the rim.

Ae illustrated in the drawings, the chang. nel to receive the tire, comprises two pe' ripheral separable sections l and 2, each having thereon a peripheral marginal flange the ein width of the channel in Overlapping* relation one with the other. Their engaging faces are laterali inclined or beveled as at 5. This bevele form of the base or bottom of the channel enables the inner or male member 2 of the rim to be readily inserted within the outer or female memberI 1, with ample clearance between the members. This clearance between the interengagincf members of the' channel in their lnitialy adjusted relation avoids all necessity for great accuracy ini the adjustment of the members, and will be at onceapparent by reference to Fig. 7, in which the members are shown separated in relation for readjustment one with the other. It will be `obvious that as the members are pressed one'to'ward the other with the bead margins ofi'the tire 'engaged therebetween, this margin of clearance will be gradually rcducedy until in their finally adjusted rel f tion the beveled or inclined faces will firm y enga-geene upon the other, with a wedging or cammingaction, by which they are firmly seated to afford all of the advantages of a sin leer integral construction.

In ieu of the tapered base or bottom por- 'tions as before described, the flanged sections of the rim may be formed or rolled from sheet metal, without such taper, as is f shown in Fig. 5.

However, this consti-uw tion will necessitate accurate adjustment of the member to prevent binding or undue strain of the parts in e'ecting their adjustment One of the members in this modified form has been shown yformed with an inner circumferential bead 6, which alords a finishv for the side o f the rim, und couceals the edge of the innermost or inserted overlappin member. It also aii'ords nn abutment or said member while the outer or enclosing member of the overlapping base portion abuts upon the inner side of the opposite peripheral flange. It will he -understood that in both of the constructions heretofore described, that the members 1 and 2 are continuous annuli. Each nunulus is of an angle formation. The base flange of such angle in the preferred form In order to iiedly engage these' members in their adjusted' relation one with the other,

. berpo these hooks may be employe .,erabl ythree or more, spaced at regal menare there iepfrevidedupon the inner periphery of the innermost or male member 2, a pimy .otcd hook 7 of a attened formation preti erably formed from sheet metal. An numarefterv s abouthe interior of the rim. The hooks 7 are pivoted upon studs 8, riveted welded, or otherwise, secured to the bese portion 4e of the inner or male member, and are adapted to engage like studs 9 carar inried by the second rim member 1. The inA l ner or male member 2 is `provided with marginal notches 10, within which the studs 9 of the opposing member project, the projecting portions of these studs being engaged by the hook 7, to prevent the separation of the members l and 2. To prevent the accidental disengagement of the hook 7 from the engaged stud 9, there is provided adjacent thereto a pivoted locking cam lever 11, pivoted at l2 and havin an eccentric head 13 adapted upon osci ation of' the lookin r lever l1 to engage' the rear margin.

or bac of the hoolr 7, to force it into locking engagement with the stud 9 and so hold it thereafter. This locking cam lever ll, when turned. to a transverse relation with the rim releases the hook 7 and permits its oscillation away from the stud 9. ln, its locking position, the cam lever l1 is alined with the rim, and Ais somewhat curved to agree with the curvature of the rim member upon which it is secured. To retain the locking cam lever 11 in its locking position, the inner rim member 2 is preferably provided with a depression 14, in the inner circumferential face thereof, und the locking lever 11 is provided with a corresponding depression 15 forming on the opposite or adjacent face ci? the locking lever, a resulting projection or boss, i6, which is adapted to engage in the recess or depression 14.,

`within the rim when the lever is in its adjusted locking position. As now constructed the demountable rims are of greater in ternal diameter than the external diametei` ilu of the wheel felloe, whereby' there is afforded an intervtnilflf ammla" Space beyilb' tween the rim and the felloe, sufiicient to ac commodate the locking hook 7 and lever 11. i Hence the present invention will not neces-L sita-te any change -in proportion or construction of t e present vehicle wheels, vandV will accommodate and agree with the rpresent vehicle tires to be applied4 to such wheels.

Hence the present rim is adapted to be sub i to vxretain the rim members in their interneonata A locked relation, prior to their engagement will hold the rim members in engagement during such temporary or reserve period as Well as when the rim is mounted upon the wheel. A

Inpractice itis now the custom to mount upon the felloe 17 of the wheel a ianved felloe rim 18, the marginalV flange 19 oia which forms an abutment for the tire rim, which carries the pneumatic or other vehicle tire. These tire rims of .whatever style are held in engaged position upon the felloe by means-of clamp plates 20. Means is provided to prevent the creep or rotation of the rim upon the felloe. This means ordinarily comprises a boss or inwardly projecting lug such as shown at21, Fig. 1g which engages Within a corresponding recess or socket in the periphery of the felloe. This'construction need .not be changed to enable the use of the features of the present invention heretofore described. The inner .or male member 2 of the rim channel may be provided with a peripheral depression 22 forming the inward projecting boss 21,- for interlocking vengagementy with the wheel felloe in the f usual manner.

As shown in the drawings ithe rim members 1 and 2 at this point have lBti been formed with overlapping oppositely disposed marginal notches, or slots 23 and 24, the inner overlapping portions of which 'form an orifice for the passage of thevalve stem of the tire. It will be obvious that these.,overlapping slots need not be located coincident;v with the lug 21, but may be at any point upon the tire rim. However, this is a convenient point and is the customary point for the location of tice at the present time, -While the present mode of securing the tire rim upon the felloeiby means of the usual clamp plate .20, and an inter-locking lug and socket connection between the rim and Jfelloe is entirely practical for securing the improved rim heretofore described, a special form of interlocking connection for'the rim is provided. In Figs. 2 and 4, the ordinary clamp been shown provided with in wardly projecting lugs or studs 27, adapted 4 to engage inI corresponding holes 28 in the marginal flange of the rim. There is also rovided upon the inner face of the clamp plate 20, a beveled or tapered bead 25, which projects into the intervening space between theJ face of the rim and the felloe plate'or rim `18, and a's the plate 20, is drawn inward to clamp the tire rim by means of theclamp bolts .26 this tapered orbeveled bead or flange 25 affords a wedging or camming upon the felloe of the wheel.` It is the practhe valve stem ori 'exerts an outward or radial pressure upon the rim, and in addition thereto the engagement of the studs or bosses 27, in the holes 28 serve to anchor the rim positively to prevent creeping or rotary variation. The inward projecting flange 25 bearing upon the periphery of the felloe, further resists any oscillation or twisting movement of the clamp plate about the clamp studs 26 under the influence of such creeping or rotary tendency of the rim. In lieu of the anchor studs or bosses 2T upon the clamp plate 20,' such anchorage studs or bosses maybe located upon the inner face' of the felloe rim flange 19, as shown at 27 to engage holes 28 in the opposite channel rim flange. Only one set of these studs will be required, but it is obvious that they may be located either upon the flange 19, or upon the clamp plates 20. By providing the holes in the opposite flanges of the channel rim the rim may be applied to the Wheel with either side outermost. By changing the tires from time to time, by reversing the rim, the Wear upon the tire and rim may be equalized and uniformly distributed.

While under ordinary conditions, and with the standard size and type of tires the rim member 1 may be easily and readily inserted within the tire, itf may be advantageous in order' to meet certain conditions to provide for a sli ht contraction of the rim member 1 to acilitate its insertion within the tire. Although in the preferred embodiment the rim member 1 is a continuous or complete annulus, in order to provide elasticity, it may be severed transversely as shown in detail plan view Fig. 8. In this figure thel inner member only is shown transversely severed on a meanderous y line, which will aii'ord a projecting tongue 29, upon one end of the member 1, and a corresponding ,recess or notch 30 on the other end of the member to be engaged by vdiametervvvill form-a slot:` or curve in the `2t 'mangement o`f parts Without departing from marginal flange 3 when the tire is in its adjusted relation. The marginal fiange 3 with this clearance slot` may be placed adjacent to the felloe rim langc 19, which `vvill cover and protect the clearance slot, or it may be so positioned as to be overlaid by ay clamp plate 20. In such construction the engagement of the bosses 27 or 27 Within the holes 28 or 28', as the case may be, on opposite sides of this point of separation will rngly and securely hold the rim in its adjustedrelation While in use. In any event the rim parts cannot possibly become separated. This construction will facilitate the engagement and dis-engagement of a tight fitting tire Without interfering with the suc cessful operation of the device or disposing with its advantages.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus rovided a device of the character descri d vpossessing the particular features of advantage before enlunerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible nf modification in its form, proportlons, detailr construction and arhe prii1ciple1nvolved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order lto comply with the statute the'invention has 'been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be` understood that the invention is not limited tothe specific details shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into el'ect, and the invention is therefore claimed 1n any of its Jforms or modifications ring engageable Within said notches, and

lock means for engaging the stud to interl lock the rings including a flexible arm' pivoted tothe inner face of the inner ring having a projecting boss engaging in an indentation in the inner face of the inner ring to retain the stud engaging lock in adjusted position.

2. A` demountable rim embodying two flanged rings arranged in overlapping relation with one ring extending within the of the rings being transversely severed and provided with interengaging terminal tongue and notch whereby said rin may yield circumferentially but its en s vare maintained in alinement, and means for detachably engaging the rings one with the other.

ln testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 17th day of July A. 1).

`HENRY J. CORBY.

ROBERT H. THOMPSON. Witnesses:

ALFRED MCCRAY, Geenen C. Hmmm.

6o A otherlring to form an annular channel, one l 

